China's crewed moon landing mission progressing steadily: CMSA

JIUQUAN -- China's crewed moon landing mission is progressing soundly, and multiple tests on related spacecraft will be conducted soon, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Wednesday.

Major lunar landing-related equipment, such as the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou (Dream Vessel), the lunar lander Lanyue (Embracing the Moon), the moon-landing spacesuit Wangyu (Gazing into the Cosmos) and the manned lunar rover Tansuo (To Explore the Unknown), are all undergoing prototype research and development testing as planned, CMSA spokesman Lin Xiqiang revealed at a press conference.

Notably, the lunar remote sensing satellite project has completed its approval and competitive selection processes. The development and construction of ground systems -- including the launch site, the measurement and control communication system, and the landing site, are also advancing in order, Lin added.

Several experiments involving the rocket, the manned spacecraft and the lunar lander have been completed, while subsequent large-scale tests will be conducted at the inland launch site at Jiuquan in northwest China and the coastal Wenchang launch site in south China's Hainan Province, to comprehensively verify critical functions and performance of flight equipment.

Lin noted that future tests will focus on comprehensive verification of new products and technologies — which are "complicated and urgent with great risks and challenges."

"We will ensure the success of all tests to lay a solid foundation for landing astronauts on the moon as scheduled," Lin said.

China aims to land its astronauts on the moon before 2030, with the purpose of conducting scientific exploration, according to the CMSA.